From the humble beginnings in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood to his untimely death at just 24 years old, Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace’s life was nothing short of controversial yet inspiring. The documentary, directed by Mark Ford, is the first biography to be authorized by B.I.G.’s estate. Including never-before-seen footage from his early days, to his rise to fame with Bad …

“Stop it”. That is the official statement from the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival on questions regarding the DMX story on tax evasion. Stop with the gossip. Stop piling on a brother who is on his way to court. Just stop it. For once, let’s get together as a community and get his back. Let’s take a step back and analyze the …

Pictured: Political Activist Linda Sarsour The 13th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival’s Hip-Hop Institute, in partnership with the English Department at Medgar Evers College, was in full swing on July 12. The all-day event saw over 30 panelists discussing topics within both the community and the world at large, and all for the love of Hip-Hop. The day kicked off with …

As day two of the 13th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival was underway, all eyes were on this year’s Get Paid To Be Yourself conversation. Featuring Co-Founder of The FADER Magazine and Cornerstone Agency Rob Stone and moderated by Forbes columnist Julian Mitchell, the two chopped it up about Stone’s beginnings as an entrepreneur, as well as what helped him become …

By: Adam Wells The LOX is arguably one of the best Hip-Hop trios of all-time. Hailing from Yonkers, New York, the group is comprised of Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch. Initially signed to Bad Boy Records and subsequently Ruff Ryders Entertainment, the group now runs their own label, D-Block Records. With three studio albums as The LOX and a …

By: Adam Wells April 29, 2017 marks twenty-five years since the upsetting verdict that acquitted four members of the LAPD that brutally battered Rodney King, a young African-American man. Mr. King suffered nine skull fractures, a broken leg, a ruptured eye socket and nerve damage at the hands of for driving while intoxicated. The footage of this brutalization shook the …

As the world slowly filled with advertisements of nothing but a timestamp backed by Tidal in early June, nobody was quite sure of what to expect. That, plus a trailer that teased a scene with Lupita Nyong’o, Danny Glover, and Mahershala Ali complete with brand new music left many to wonder whether or not Jay Z was releasing a new …

In the new age of media, there has been a great rise of creatives who want to take the industry — and the world — by storm. These are the ones who grew up and witnessed some of Hip-Hop and pop culture’s ups and downs from the late ‘90s until today. Even with countless odds against them, they overcame because …

Come check Timothy Anne Burnside, curator of the Smithsonian’s renowned National Museum of African American History and Culture, as she breaks down Hip-Hop’s significance to the storytelling aspect of African American culture on the Hip-Hop Insitute’s “Preserving the Legacy” panel on July 12th.

July 10th – Told It First Hand With Rakim moderated by Wes Jackson Time: 7pm – 9pm Location: The Brooklyn Historical Society – 128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Festival Executive Director Wes Jackson sits down for a one on one conversation with Rakim and special guests as the discuss 30 years of their seminal album, “Paid In Full” …

When Jay-Z went to Twitter for a rare tweet storm, he shouted out a host of artists that influenced him as well as some of those he admired. While I am sure many artists scrolled the @S_C_ Twitter feed looking for their names, there were probably even more fans looking and asking, “Who’s this?”, “Never heard of them”, “What in …

It’s become one of the most popular coined-phrases in pop culture today. It’s been seen all over social media, in discussions about Hip-Hop culture, even hearing it from Charlamagne Tha God on the popular morning radio show, The Breakfast Club. No matter who you are in Hip-Hop or pop culture itself, this three-word phrase has rapidly helped people express themselves …

During Hip-Hop’s Golden Age there were typically three shows that came to mind when you wanted to see your favorite rappers: Video Music Box, Yo! MTV Raps, and Rap City. If you wanted to see Hip-Hop on TV, these were your platforms. These shows were respected, recognizable forces to be reckoned with during their heydays. Even though there was quite …